Madigan enjoyed a breakthrough last season and has continued in the same vein this term as he benefits from the agreement between the IRFU and the clubs in which established internationals - namely Leinster teammate Jonny Sexton - must be rested for a set number of games.
And Gibbes admits Madigan is a dream to work with on the training pitch.
"There are two things I really like from him," Gibbes told the Irish Independent. "He's coachable, he's playing at a really tough position with a lot of responsibility.
"He doesn't get everything right, but he cops his feedback on the chin and then he puts his head down and works hard off the field during the week. He continues to work really hard and that's a positive.
"And the second thing is I actually think he is reasonably brave. He will give it a go and I think the forwards definitely respect a No.10 that puts his head down in the dark places."
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